Cary completes three major road-widening projects

"These were three very significant projects to have underway at the same time, and we really appreciate the support of adjacent citizens and the traveling public as we worked hard and fast to get these projects completed," said Tim Bailey, the town's engineering director.

The improvements to the state-owned roadways cost the town $25 million, but residents will get their money's worth, officials said.

"Cary has a history of doing what it takes to keep our citizens' quality of life high, and sometimes, this means spending local tax dollars to improve infrastructure that's technically the responsibility of another governmental entity," Bailey said.

With the $8.9 million project, Tryon Road is at least four lanes wide within Cary's town limits. Tryon was converted from a two-rural road to a median-divided urban street in response to increased traffic and congestion.

The project began in winter 2006 and included widening outer lanes for cyclists and constructing sidewalks.

Evans Road has been widened to five lanes, with more space for bicyclists and sidewalks on both sides of the road. Pedestrian signals and islands ere added at Dynasty Road.

The completion of the Maynard widening project creates a four-lane loop around Cary. Begun in the spring of 2007, the $11.6 million road project added sidewalks, crossing signals, drainage structures, and a traffic signal at Kilmayne Drive.

The project also rehabilitated about 2,000 feet of an unnamed protected tributary to Swift Creek were also rehabilitated.

"Whether walking, biking or driving, these corridors are very important for the tens of thousands of Cary citizens who use them every day," Bailey said.